Queensland

Compiled by Karen Murphy

Sites and Displays

Commissariat Store

115 William Street, Brisbane

Visit one of only two remaining convict-built buildings in Brisbane and see exhibitions on the history of Queensland. See where archaeologists excavated beneath the floorboards and the pieces of the past they found.

For more details: http://www.queenslandhistory.org.au/

Mill Point
Southern Cooloola Section, Great Sandy National Park, Sunshine Coast

Approx 5km north of Boreen Point.

Take a walk into the past at the site of this 19th century timber mill settlement on the shores of Lake Cootharaba. Signs along the 2.4km (one way) trail tell the history of the site. Archaeologists have excavated at the site uncovering the remains of the houses where the mill workers and their families lived. To see what exciting things they found visit http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=42037&pid=41684 .

For details on the national park: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=235

Also visit the Noosa Museum to learn more about the Mill Point story.
29 Factory Street, Pomona
For more details: http://www.noosamuseum.spiderweb.com.au/index.html

Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville

70-102 Flinders Street East, Townsville

The most famous attraction of the Museum of Tropical Queensland is the Pandora exhibit, which tells the story of the ill-fated Pandora, her crew and prisoners (the mutineers from the Bounty). The exhibition features artefacts recovered by archaeologists from the wreck of HMS Pandora which give an insight into maritime life in the 18th century. Witness the terror of the prisoners inside the ‘Pandora’s Box’ as the ship sinks. See unique artefacts recovered from the wreck of the Pandora. Search the database for information on other Queensland shipwrecks

For more details: http://www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/pandoragallery.asp

Queensland Museum South Bank

Corner of Grey & Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane

Learn about Queensland’s history and archaeology at the Queensland Museum in the Queensland Stories: People Places Past and Present exhibition, and in the museum’s Inquiry Centre.

For more details: http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/

Convicts, Culverts, and Catalinas: recent archaeological projects in inner-city Brisbane
Learn more about recent historical archaeology projects in Brisbane in this webcast by historian Dr Thom Blake and archaeologist Dr Richard Robins. These projects include an 1860 stone culvert under Adelaide Street, remnants of the 1860 Petrie Terrace gaol, a World War 2 Command Centre bunker and the 1830s Eagle Farm Female prison site.

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/webcasts/07brisarchaeology/

Archaeological Places on the Queensland Heritage Register

To search and view places on the Queensland Heritage Register visit http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/chims/basicSearch.html

Publications

Queensland Archaeological Research / Jay Hall, editor.

http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=52613&pid=52614
Issues (1984-2002) available for browsing and free download.

Including both historical archaeology and Indigenous archaeology in Queensland.

Paradise : life on a Queensland goldfield / Jonathan Prangnell, Lynda Cheshire, Kate Quirk.

Brisbane, Qld. : University of Queensland Archaeological Services Unit, Burnett Water Pty Ltd, 2005.

Pandora : an archaeological perspective / Peter Gesner.

South Brisbane : Queensland Museum, 1991.

Legislation

Queensland Heritage Act 1992

The Queensland Heritage Act provides for the conservation of Queensland’s historical cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations.

The main sections relevant to historical archaeology include:

  • Part 5 – Registration of archaeological places in the Queensland Heritage Register
  • Part 9 – Discovery and protection of archaeological artefacts
  • s89 – Requirement to give notice about discovery of an archaeological artifact
  • s69 – Assessing development in a registered archaeological place

More information on the legal management of archaeology is available from the Queensland Government: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/heritage/archaeology

Get Involved

National Archaeology Week

Held in May each year with events and activities for the public.
Visit http://www.archaeologyweek.com/